Beachin' 2012: Shellin' and Chillin'

We're down to two remaining beach posts, so here goes!  One of Clara's favorite parts of the beach was collecting shells.  I remember combing the shores as a kid myself, hunting for the most perfect ones and adorning them on sandcastles or bringing them home to save in a treasure box (Hmmm... perhaps the beginning of my hoarding resourcefulness).  Clara wasn't too picky this year, but in the years to come we will teach her all the skill and strategy in collecting shells.

This post also includes some shots of Clara doing what you're really supposed to do on the beach: chillin'.  She's typically not much of a sitter or a be-still-er at all, but she did a little more relaxing than I thought she might.  The rhythm of the waves can lull even a busy toddler, I suppose.  Or maybe it was heat and pure exhaustion.  Nah, I'm going with rhythm of the waves....

And so I present, Act I: Shellin':

Click these to watch the video!  Go on!  Do it!!!

And Act II: Chillin':

 Hydration time.

 "Ahh.... this is the life."

 Sometimes a kid's gotta re-fuel with some Cheerios.

Here's my movie star look....

 Worn. Slam. Out.

 Oops... that little rest resulted in quite the sandy face.

 Stealing a few snuggles...

Sweet Mama grabbed some too.  Nothing like a lullaby on the beach...